The Northern Counties League title now hinges on the outcome of the Roses battle at the end of the month when Yorkshire take on Lancashire at Pleasington in Blackburn.

After their 12.5-5.5 win over Durham at Ramside Hall , a draw would suffice for Yorkshire to win the league whereas Lancashire, who beat Northumberland 10.5-7.5 at West Derby require victory.

Champions Cumbria finally got themselves off the bottom of the table with a 9.5-8.5 win over Cheshire at Kirkby Lonsdale and that leaves Cheshire and Durham battling it out for the wooden spoon at Wilmslow.

Cumbria and Northumberland will be fighting for third place when they clash at Tynemouth.

Northumberland's slim title hopes went west as Lancashire beat them by three points but not before Peter Davey's men put up a dogged fight where they hit back to win the singles after losing the foursomes 5-1.

Chris McDonnell led the way in the top tie by beating Richard Walker, still trying to come to terms with his shock omission from the Walker Cup side 4 and 3 and when Shaun Philipson despatched Mike Kanski 2 and 1, Northumberland had a glimmer of hope.

But Lancashire re-established their grip by winning the next three matches, two of them going to the final green, with Davey putting up a plucky fight before succumbing to Roger Smithies 3 and 2. Wins for Kevin Cademy-Taylor, Simon Lee and Chris Paisley with Ian Donaldson adding a half, kept the match alive.

It was left to veteran Trevor Foster to secure the point Lancashire were frantically chasing after Andrew Minnikin had put further pressure on them by beating Gary Lacy 4 and 3, when he just got the better of Paul Fiddes 2 and 1.

Craig Vance's 2 and 1 win over Robert Wiggins ended the fightback.

Cumbria eased themselves off the bottom in a match which was as close as the 9.5-8.5 scoreline suggests, English Amateur champion Gary Lockerbie halving his match. It was Geoff Nixon who was to secure the first win for Cumbria this season. David Horsey was unable to respond at 17 and the match was won with a par from Nixon.